Support line

The Little Hearts Matter support line is open from 9am to 10pm seven days a week. The team work to offer support at the time of a new diagnosis, through decision making and treatments and then during life at home. No question is to small, we will always try to help where we can. 0121 455 8982.

Office support team

When a call comes in to the office it will first be answered by Tina or Paula. They will take some initial details and then chat through what support or information the caller is seeking. They will then either refer the caller on to another member of the team or send out appropriate information.

Many calls are referred on to Suzie.

Suzie has been working for the charity for 17 years. She used to be a Congenital Cardiac Specialist Nurse so will listen to all callers’ concerns and work to help them understand what their medical team have told them, especially following a new diagnosis or treatment plan. Although she is unable to give individual medical advice she will help a caller to draw up a list of questions for their own medical team. She also works to help families access support for a child in school or when they apply for benefits. Her aim is to give a general overview of life with a congenital heart condition and the support a child or family may need at any stage of their journey.

Parent-to-parent volunteer team

The support line is manned by a team of trained supporters in the evenings and at weekends. All parents of children with a single ventricle heart, the team are brilliant at offering support when a caller most needs it.

Claire Goodenough, Support Line Volunteer

Claire has been an LHM support line volunteer since the service started 12 years ago. She is married to Dave and lives with him in Warwickshire with their two children, Will aged 22 and Mary 18. Will was one of the pioneer children undergoing surgery for HLHS in Birmingham when he was first born. Clare brings her experience of being the Mum to a young adult with a single ventricle heart as well as a lifetime of experience throughout his childhood.

Jen Evans, Support Line Volunteer

Hi my names Jen, I’m married to Phil and have 3 gorgeous children.

Charlie 8, Sophie 6 and Alfie 3. Sophie has HLHS, I volunteer on the help line as I wanted to give something back and to listen to those who are going through similar experiences to me and help if I can.

Rachel Robinson, Support Line Volunteer

I have been married to Adrian for 15 years, we have 4 children and live and work on our family farm in South Shropshire. I had an antenatal diagnosis of HLHS with my 3rd child, Samuel, who was born in 2006 at the Birmingham Women’s Hospital. Samuel has undergone all three stages of surgery at Birmingham Children’s Hospital and has since had a pacemaker. I have done some fundraising for LHM over the last few years and 3 years ago I became a parent support volunteer. I clearly remember how desperate and confused we were by the initial diagnosis and what a lifeline LHM was to me. LHM has continued to support us over the years and I am glad to be able to support other mums and dads who find themselves in a similar position to the one we were in 10 years ago.

Be social with us - our latest tweets and posts

A big feel good Friday to our volunteers! Our members will be receiving their newsletters in the next few days and that's thanks to these guys! Yesterday, they folded, labelled and posted so you get your newsletters. Thanks to @ukpolygon's Camilla as well as Colin and Chris! x